Just How Safe is Seattle?

When you look at the safest cities in America, you won’t find Seattle on the list. A recent study by WalletHub found that Seattle was ranked a dismal 150th safest between Oakland, California and Columbus, Ohio. If you live in the Seattle area, does this surprise you? Just how safe is Seattle, and what can be done to reduce the crime rates?

The WalletHub report reviewed data from over 180 cities and examined them for 41 key indicators of safety. Some of those included assaults per capita, as well as sheltered homeless. Seattle ranked 150th in overall safety and 141st in natural disaster risk. Home and community safety seemed to be the worst rankings for the city.

In 2019, total reported crimes in Seattle were down, but gun violence was still a major concern. The decrease in reported crimes in 2019 was largely due to a decrease in reported property crimes. Violent crimes, such as assault, homicide, and theft, were up slightly.

Which neighborhoods and communities in Seattle have seen an increase in crime?

• South Park - there was a 21 percent increase in crime in South Park between 2017 and 2018.
• Fremont - there was also a 52 percent increase in both violent and property crimes in Fremont.
• SoDo - this Seattle community saw a 30 percent increase in overall crime in recent years.
• Pioneer Square - there was a 28 percent increase in crime in recent years.
• Georgetown - this Seattle community saw a 12 percent increase in crime.
• South Ballard - there was an 11 percent increase in crime in South Ballard.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Crime Rates in Seattle?

In response to the crime in Seattle and surrounding communities, police patrols through certain Seattle neighborhoods have increased. Those police patrols focused specifically on neighborhoods that saw an increase in gun violence over the last year. For example, reports of shots fired in the city’s south precinct spiked over 65 percent. South Seattle and in the City of Seattle have seen more than one reported shooting a day.

Unfortunately, police patrols in Seattle are not enough to reduce the overall crime rates. A recent prolific offenders report found that Seattle’s city attorney does not prosecute almost half of the non-traffic arrests. Filing charges after arrests moves slowly, and this can add to offenders being released or put back on the streets. In general, it takes more than six months to file charges on cases. In addition, 65 percent of those arrested and suspected of a crime are never charged.

This recent report has city leaders scrambling for additional funding and more manpower. Greater emphasis may be placed on improving leadership and fixing the system. This could result in more arrests or prosecutions for those arrests.

If You Have Been Arrested in Seattle

If you are arrested in Seattle and charged with a crime, it is important to understand the severity. A criminal record could haunt you for the rest of your life. This will make it difficult to maintain employment, find housing, apply for school programs, and even maintain relationships. Do not assume that you will be able to beat these charges on your own. It is important to fight aggressively for your future and for a fair trial.

An experienced Seattle criminal defense attorney can help you through this difficult time. You are innocent until proven guilty, and you have a right to be treated fairly. Your attorney can build a solid defense and poke holes in the prosecution’s case against you.

Getting Help From Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys at Lewis & Laws, PLLC

If you are charged with a crime in Seattle, you do not have to face these charges alone. Contact an experienced Seattle criminal defense lawyer immediately. Criminal charges could ruin your life and your future. Even the accusations are enough to ruin your reputation in your community and could even cost you your job. The experienced lawyers at Lewis & Laws, PLLC, have successfully defended clients in Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland. Contact us today at 206.209.0608 or fill out our online contact form.